Selection Of Jury To Begin

April 8, 1986|By Jean Dubail, Staff writer

Jury selection began Monday in the first-degree murder trial of Jon LeCroy, who is accused of taking part with his brother in the 1981 slaying of a newlywed couple at a western Palm Beach County hunting preserve.

LeCroy`s younger brother, Cleo, was found guilty last month of shooting and killing John and Gail Hardeman. Prosecutors hope to prove, however, that Jon LeCroy was the ``triggerman`` in the killing of John Hardeman.

If convicted, Jon LeCroy faces either the death penalty or a life in prison sentence with a minimum term of 25 years.

Circuit Judge Carl Harper denied a motion by Jon LeCroy`s attorney, Michael Dubiner, to rule out a possible death penalty before the trial begins. He had argued that Cleo LeCroy`s conviction as the ``triggerman`` on both crimes should keep his brother from being put to death if convicted for the same act.